“He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has
already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since
for him the spinal cord would suffice.”Albert Einstein.

This is a topic I have been meaning to touch on for some time, but had decided
to put off the ‘heavier’ topics for a later date. That is, however, until I
stumbled upon a beautifully worded
article, written by the political-activist rapper, Lowkey. I have briefly mentioned his
work in a previous post, but for those who are not familiar, I would definitely
recommend checking out a few of his songs. I should clarify that I do not at all consider myself to be a fan of Lowkey – fans are for celebrities and false ‘idols,’ that spread of insecurities and false hope. No, it's more than that. I can assure you that not even one celebrity comes close to the talent, and the message, that
Lowkey delivers.

For over 20 years, Tim Westwood, the three-time MOBO award winner, has
been regarded by many as the DJ of UK
hip-hop. Upon offering him an interview, a chance that most UK hip-hop artists
would throw themselves at, Lowkey respectfully declined.

Why?

In short, Lowkey refused to play a role in the war fuelling publicity,
which Westwood appers to be caught up in.

According to his blog post, Rhys Hughes, the executive producer for
BBC Radio 1, has said that Westwood was sent out to Camp Bastion, in Afghanistan, because
what is happening over there is essentially “a 19-year-old’s story, which is
perfect for our audience.”

Photos of Westwood’s trip were also published on the
website of the BBC's Radio 1xtra – including a photograph of the “Helicopter ground crew
meeting” board, displaying a list of Westwood’s quotes for each day.

What was the first quote, you ask?

‘DROP A BOMB!’

Now, I don’t know about you, but the concept of war, for me, could
never be sugar coated. I could never advertise
a war, through music, pictures or other media sources. I mean, could this really
be modern day propaganda? Jody McIntyre responded to Westwood’s ‘Quote of the
day’, in an article which he wrote for the Independent, saying “The irony might
be funny, if it were not for the Afghan men, women and children who have been
killed and maimed by our bombs.”

“A recent study has found that, for the last 2
years running, the US military has lost more troops to suicide than it has to
combat in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.”

“In April 2010, an Independent on Sunday poll found
that 77% of British citizens want the troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan.”

Why are our people never heard?

Why are there no responses to these
facts, from Britain? Or America?

During mid-2011, the artist known as Mic Righteous, performed on BBC radio 1xtra. His lyrics
were censored; words like ‘free Palestine’ and ‘Gaza Strip,’ along with
profanities, were masked with the sound of shattered glass.

20 comments:

wow the facts about the us military losing more to suicide than to casualties in afghanistan sent shivers down my spine. I'm scared for the future :/. i really like your post and i hope to read more like it, following!

I always though the BBC were totally un-biased and had a neutral view when reporting the news but the BBC and Sky news where the only channels not to broadcast the Gaza charity appeal special whislt all the others did, Lost all respect for them after that.

And this is why I started going to sites like Reddit and reading blogs. These people are GENERALLY less biased and influenced by higher powers. And at least you can see some diversity in opinions and ideas here.

I guess that's why the corporations are trying to shut down the internet. They only want themselves to be heard.

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About Me

We may differ in experience, opinions and dreams, but our Gaping Minds, eventually, will merge us, as one.
Ideology: Question everything, and when you receive an answer, question it. Live fully, until your very last moment. And remember - It is better to die, whilst you are still alive.
Make it count.